Young man earns place on bench, in hearts of Thunder

Nine months ago, doctors told the 23-year-old Stockton man he had only six months to live.

Larson takes each day as it comes, even developing a bucket list. On it was to drop the ceremonial first puck at a Thunder game.

He has done that and much more. Larson has sat on the Thunder bench for two games and gained a friend in Thunder coach Matt Thomas. Both men say they have benefited from their relationship far more than they ever imagined.

Thomas is far too familiar with cancer, having seen his brother, Art, fight the disease two decades ago. Matt Thomas said he admires Tucker's outlook and optimism.

“In life, sometimes you meet people in untraditional circumstances,” Thomas said. “Tucker is a very inspiring young man, and he's just a good guy. The Larsons are a wonderful family, and Tucker knows he has an all-access backstage pass around here. He can come by as often as he wants. We're always thrilled to see him.”

For his part, Larson gets to experience a fantasy.

“It's been a dream to get close to my favorite team, and to become friends with Matt Thomas has been very special,” Larson said. “I love the Thunder. I have since they came here (in 2005). And the one thing I'm determined to do is to keep living my life.”

He is doing just that.

Although his health has permitted him to attend only two games this season, the Larson family have been season ticket holders since the franchise arrived in 2005.

Larson's most recent trip to Stockton Arena came on Feb. 2, when he attended the morning practice and brought a gift for Thomas — a sketch of Thunder defenseman Ryan Constant that he purchased online. During practice, Larson and Thunder forward Jesse Fratkin shared a long conversation. Fratkin said they chatted about “everything. Anything you could think of. He's a great and inspiring guy.”

That evening, Larson donned a suit and tie, stood behind the bench, and cheered as the Thunder beat the Idaho Steelheads, 3-2.

It was a welcomed respite from his daily battle.

Larson was diagnosed with cancer in his kidneys and lungs at age 6. Steve Larson, his father, said his son has a tumor wrapped around his heart, another around his bronchial tube, and three tumors on his right lung, Larson is taking an experimental drug, and although it causes bouts of nausea and fatigue, he believes it has been effective.

“I understand my situation, but hopefully by taking this drug they will learn more about it, and it can be used to help other people,” Tucker Larson said. “That would make me very happy.”

Steve Larson, the grants' manager at the Port of Stockton, wants to do what he can to make his son happy and comfortable. Other items on the bucket list included a trip the family took to Italy and giving Tucker a chance to play his Xbox game console on an IMAX screen, which was set up by a theater owner in Galveston, Texas.

The Thunder was also very high on the list. Steve contacted Linda Vasquez, the Thunder's manager of administration and community relations, to ask if Tucker could drop the ceremonial puck sometime. She immediately said she would make the arrangements. Not long after speaking to her, Steve heard from Thomas.

“And it's important that Tucker gets to experience a professional man like Matt Thomas,” Steve Larson said. “He's an athlete and a leader, a good man and a hard worker. As far as a role model, I think he's perfect.”

Thomas was touched by Tucker's circumstances. During his freshman year at Rochester Institute of Technology, Thomas was looking forward to finally playing hockey with his brother, Art. After their first game together, Art, who was 21, had a swollen left arm, which he first attributed to a hockey injury. The swelling was later found to be caused by a blood clot. Further diagnosis revealed he had non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Art Thomas, 40, is cancer free and lives in Oakville, Ontario.

“We were very lucky, and I remember the devastating effect the news can have on a family,” Matt Thomas said. “To see him go through it was hard, and there was times when he didn't know if he could continue to battle. And I know I blocked it out in some ways and wondered if maybe I could have done more to help at the time.”

Steve Larson said he hopes to bring Tucker to at least two more games this season, one in the regular season and one in the playoffs, which he is certain the Thunder will qualify for. Tucker knows there is a spot for him in the locker room, on the bench and in the hearts of those in the Thunder organization.

“In his life, one of the things which brings Tucker joy is the Thunder,” Steve Larson said. “The way they have embraced my son and our family, I can't tell you what it means to us.”